Debbie Corcione, 51, center, a wildlife rehabilitator in Sherman, Conn., is photographed with some of her staff of volunteers Wednesday, April 16, 2014. They are from left, Emily Sanborn, 33, of South Kent, and sisters Jackie Stager, 13, and Mikaela Stager, 17, of Sherman.
Photo: Carol Kaliff

Ask Debbie Corcione, founder and director of The Wildlife Line in Sherman, and she'll immediately tell you they're the size of a peanut.

An animal lover for as long as she can remember, Corcione, 51, knows quite a lot about wildlife. That's because she's been a wildlife rehabilitator for 25 years.

In 2008, she founded The Wildlife Line, a nonprofit she runs from her home. It's where she and several volunteers, who do everything from animal care to fundraising to office work, give life to their mission "to rescue and rehabilitate orphaned or injured wildlife and return them to their natural habitat."

The organization's help is just a phone call away. Services are free but donations are welcome.

Corcione, who, privately, is a pet sitter, was interviewed as she held, played with and petted Zippy, a 6-week-old squirrel whose mother had been hit by a car.

Q: Why did you decide to become a wildlife rehabilitator?

A: Some baby raccoons were brought into where I was working as a groomer. I was immediately in awe of them and I saw a need for wildlife rehabilitation. I believe every creature deserves a chance to live out its life, whatever that life may be.

Q: Do you need a license for what you do?

A: Yes. I have a small mammal license that permits me to rehabilitate non-migratory animals such as squirrels and rabbits. I also have a Rabies Vector Species (RVS) permit for fox, raccoons, and skunks, as well as a special permit to rehabilitate deer.

I also take classes every year and attend as many wildlife association conferences and conventions as I can.

Q: What do you say to people who question what you do?

A: Every creature deserves to live out its natural life and I would like to help them do that. Education on whether an animal is truly orphaned or not is an important part of what we do. If you find an animal you believe is orphaned, try to get in touch with a rehabilitator to assess the situation.

People sometimes don't realize that, in the wild, mothers such as deer and rabbits will leave babies alone for long periods while they forage for food. These babies aren't sick, they're just waiting for mama to return.

Q: What if an animal is injured?

A: If you find an injured animal you should not move it unless it's in immediate danger, like if it might be hit by a car or attacked by another animal. If you do pick it up, use a shovel or gloves, put it in a well-ventilated area and call a rehabilitator.

Q: Do you get help from the medical community?

A: Yes. We work with a few different veterinarians who donate time and supplies.

Q: Considering you and your fellow volunteers handle wild animals, how do you keep from getting sick?

A: Cleanliness is very important. We wash our hands and wear gloves for certain activities, like bottle-feeding a raccoon or cleaning up after them. We're also vaccinated for rabies.

Q: What's the most unusual animal you've ever treated?

A: A 42-pound beaver. I kept it in my bedroom and bathtub. She had been hit by a car in a driveway. Someone had been throwing snowballs at her. She suffered nerve damage and was paralyzed.

Q: Are you anti hunter?

A: No, but people need to be reminded that they need to be respectful hunters. A lot feel they're entitled to take what they want when they want it. I don't believe that.

Q: Why should someone become a wildlife rehabilitator?

A: Along with having a child, it's the most rewarding thing I've ever done. I've learned a lot and gotten to meet a tremendous number of people with amazing hearts. I love what I do.

Rehabilitating wild animals

First, Wildlife Line volunteers nurse them and get them on solid food indoors. When they're strong enough, animals are placed in pre-release enclosures outside that are filled with as many natural foods, foods they would eat in the wild, as they can find. Generally, they're in those for a couple of weeks.

Once they're acclimated to the outdoors, a small hole is made in the bottom of the enclosure so they can come and go but predators can't get in. Once they're at ease outside the enclosure, they're set free.

For more on the Wildlife Line, to make a tax-deductible donation or volunteer, call 860-355-5797, visit www.thewildifeline.com or email wildlifelinect@yahoo.com.

Sybil Blau is a freelance journalist in Connecticut; sibby3@yahoo.com.